University of Hong Kong Ruffles Feathers: The “Pillar of Shame” Vanishes
Picture this: an eight‑metre, two‑tonne copper sculpture—resplendent in its grim, human‑torso form—his name echoing the echo of the 1989 Tiananmen tragedy. For over twenty years it stood on the University of Hong Kong (HKU) campus, a rare low‑key memorial to a taboo subject back in mainland China. But as of December 23rd, it vanished.
What Went Down
- Night‑time wrenching: In the dead of the night, guards set up yellow barricades. Work crews in hard hats rolled in, draped the statue with white plastic, and, with snick‑nick of power tools, began pulling the top half over a crane.
- Quick shipping: One of the cranes delivered the chunk to a container—then a truck whisked that container away the next morning.
- What’s next? HKU’s governance committee said the statue will be stored and that they’ll keep looking for legal guidance.
Why the Big Move?
HKU’s bottom line: they never got permission for the tribute, they’re worried it might break (the sculpture has been called “fragile,” after all), and they’re hunting for any safety or legal risks. The university claims the decision is in its “best interest.”
Artists and Students React
- Danish sculptor Jens Galschiot: “Totally shocked,” he said, promising a compensation claim for smash‑ups.
- Student testimonies:
- “The university is trembling,” wrote 19‑year‑old Chan, calling it a cowardly move that undermines HKU’s stand on academic freedom.
- Leung sighed, “Heart‑broken to see pieces of a historical symbol cut.”
Your Takeaway
While this removal is the latest in a string of actions that clamp down on 6‑4‑1989 remembrance, the day has not yet silenced the debate. If there’s one thing HKU has proven, it’s that the political push and pull over history can be as dramatic and messy as an art piece getting dismantled.
